Coexistence of neoteny and an internal cycle a polystomatid (Monogenea)]

Metapolystoma cachani a parasite of Ptychadena longirostris (Peters) has been discovered in the Ivory coast. Its life cycle is the first to involve both the possibility of an internal cycle in the bladder of the adult Amphibian and a neotenical reproduction on the gills of the Tadpole. This double process is the link between the Monogeneans which are only parasites of aquatic hosts and those which are adapted to terrestrial hosts. Its place is therefore essential in the phylogeny of Polystomatidae.     

The close karyological affinities between aCeratophrys andPelobates (Amphibia Salientia)

Riassunto Il cariotipo diCeratophrys calcarata (Leptodactylidae oCeratophrydae) consta di 26 cromosomi, 12 grandi e 14 più piccoli; il settimo paio mostra zone eterocromatiche. Il genoma diCeratophrys presenta una stretta somiglianza con quello diPelobates cultripes (Pelobatidae); l'A ritiene che questo fatto possa fornire utili indicazioni sulle relazioni tassonomiche deiCeratophrydae.

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Research carried out by means of a contribution from the C.N.R. (Genetics Enterprise).     

Desmodonte renewal in baboons (Papio papio)]

Turnover of desmodontal ligament is analysed in the Baboon using labeling, biochemical and histological techniques. In Baboons, as previously observed in rodents, turnover of proteins labelled by 3H glycine may be described by a single exponential after the ninth day, the half life of which is more than two weeks. Biochemical data show that proteins renewed are mostly collagen.     

Observation of bacteriophages in wine (author's transl)]

Electron microscopic examination of samples of Swiss wine, collected during the malolactic fermentation, revealed the presence of bacteriophages of three different morphological types. It is interesting to note that these phages have been found in a product whose pH is lower than 3.5.     

Hymenaea protera sp.n. (Leguminosae,Caesalpinioideae) from Dominican amber has African affinities

Hymenaea protera is described from amber originating from La Toca mine in the Dominican Republic. The fossil species is characterized by the presence of reduced petals as well as distinctly clawed showy petals with cordate to reniform bases and a glabrous, verrucose ovary with long hirsute hairs at its base and along one margin. The fossil species most closely resembles the extantH. verrucosa Gaertner which occurs in East Africa and adjacent islands. These findings are interpreted as supporting a hypothesis that the genusHymenaea arose in the late Cretaceous on the combined South American-African continents and that Cretaceous and early Tertiary landmass movements were significant in determining the present amphi-Atlantic distribution of the genus. It is proposed that at least the majority, if not all, of the amber recovered from La Toca mine and other mines in the vicinity with similar-aged deposits originated fromH. protera.     

Lysosome-rich synaptosomal preparations from rat mesencephalus (author's transl)]

Subcellular fraction, enriched with synaptosomes, obtained from rat brain has been found contaminated by lysosomes, as evidenced by the high content of acid phosphatase, their biochemical marker.     

Stimulating determinants of the secondary mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR-II)]

An anti-Ia immune serum (A . TL anti-A . TH) directed to the antigens of the stimulating cell, blocked the MLR-II. A significant correlation was observed between the anti-Ia reactivity of the immune serum, studied against a panel of eleven original H-2 haplotypes and the reactivity against the same panel of the in vitro primed responding cells (A . TL anti-A . TH). These results confirm the hypothesis that Ia antigens are the structures stimulating the MLR-II.     

Phagocytosis of liposomes by mouse peritoneal macrophages (author's transl)]

Uptake of 14C-cholesterol or 3H-cholesterol labelled liposomes, stimulation of 14C-glucose oxidation, as well as ultrastructural and autoradiographical experiments have shown that liposomes are phagocytized by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Further results have shown that degradation of liposomes was not complete 2h after uptake.     

Neurosecretion and hydroelectrolytic regulation in Artemia salina (author's transl)]

The activity of Artemia protocerebral median neurosecretory cells is stimulated when animals are grown in media whose tonicity is lower than that of sea weater. The substance liberated by these cells could regulate the tonicity of the internal medium.     

Study of marine microvibrios of Roscoff (Microvibrio marinus roscoffensis)]

Marine microvibrios, predators of E. coli, have been detected worldwide, from equatorial waters to the polar regions. The morphology and behavior of two microvibrios have been studied. Their multiplication and aggressiveness in regard to their bacterial prevy are not impeded by dialysis membranes and manifest themselves, away from all direct contact between the predator and its prey.     

Origin of ammonia excreted by trout gill (Salmo gairdneri)]

In the perfused head of Trout the gills are the site of ammonia clearance which corresponds exactly to the appearance rate of ammonia in the external medium. Thus metabolic production of ammonia by the gill apparently does not participate to its excretion. Under ammonia-free Ringer perfusion however, endogenous production is observed and ammonia is excreted in both external and internal media.     

Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on serum lysozyme (muramidase) levels (author's transl)]

An i.v. injection of 548 microgram of killed Corynebacterium parvum into C57B1 mice leads to significant changes in serum lysozyme (muramidase) levels. After an initial fall at 24 h, the activity of the enzyme increased progressively, reached a peak on the 9th day and returned to control range after the 15th day.     

Autosomal chromosometranslocation of piebald cattle and brown cattle (author's transl)]

Different autosomal chromosome fusions at piebald cattle and brown cattle are described. In randomly investigated breeds of cattle in Germany, we found 1/25 translocation in piebald cattle and a 1/29 Robertsonian fusion in brown cattle. Fertility differences were investigated.     

Antibiotically active tripeptides of the sequence L-arg-D-X-L-phe] (author's transl)]

Five tripeptides with the sequence L-Arg-D-X-L-Phe showed antibiotic activity on fungi and on some pathogenic moulds. The action of the peptides could be neutralized in the cross-strip test by the L-amino acid corresponding to the D-amino acid in the middle position.     

Preliminary ultrastructural observations on the venom glands of Asilides (Diptera-Brachycera)]

The venom gland epithelium of the Asilidae is apparently made up of two types of cells which are differentiated by the structure of some components. The two types of cells exhibit an extensive protein synthesis and the secretory process seems to be apocrine. The significance of these two types of cell is discussed.